The Science of Nature最新文献

{"title":"Caulerpa peltata extract protects against Dextran sodium sulfate-induced acute ulcerative colitis via modulating Nrf2 pathway","authors":"Yasmin Banu Chanbasha,&nbsp;Muthu Ragunath,&nbsp;Ashok Kumar Pandurangan","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02150-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02150-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and poses an increasing public health issue around the world because of the presence of genetic, immunological, and environmental causes. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory therapy targeting oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways have become the main therapeutic approach with the use of the NRF2 pathway. In this study, the antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and NRF2 regulation activities of ethanolic extract of <i>Caulerpa peltata</i> (CPEE) were investigated using phytochemical screening, in vitro, in vivo,<i> and in silico</i> methods. Firstly, phytochemical screening and in vitro analysis were done in order to determine the phytochemical components and antioxidant potential of the CPEE. The safe dosages of CPEE (1.25–100 µg/mL) were assessed in zebrafish embryotoxicity and morphological, biochemical, and molecular evaluations were conducted in the control mice, DSS-inducing UC mice and UC mice treated with CPEE (100 mg/kg) for seven days. LC-MS molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) were applied for characterizing the bioactive compounds in CPEE and predicting their binding affinities and stability of their interactions with protein targets. Phytochemical screening showed a high amount of flavonoids and tannins with potent antioxidant potential. Safe concentrations were obtained from zebrafish toxicity screening, whereas CPEE treatment in vivo decreased the severity of the disease, maintained levels of antioxidant enzymes, and improved <i>Nrf2</i>,<i> HO-1</i>,<i> and NQO1</i> expressions; further computational analysis supported stable binding energies of bioactive compounds to Keap1. CPEE decreased oxidative stress, colitis pathology, and exhibited an increase in the enzymatic activity of antioxidants and NRF2-related genes, which confirmed that <i>Caulerpa peltata</i> could be used as a possible source for bioactive compounds for further investigation in UC management.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148823584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Green-synthesized selenium and titanium dioxide nanomaterials: characterization and antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens","authors":"Shwetha B. Nagarajan,&nbsp;Anuradha Jayaraman,&nbsp;Sanjeevi Ramakrishnan","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02146-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02146-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Nosocomial respiratory infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens pose a major clinical threat, necessitating alternative antimicrobial strategies beyond conventional antibiotics. Green-synthesized nanomaterials offer a sustainable route for developing novel antimicrobial agents. This study aimed to perform the first direct, side-by-side comparison of plant-mediated selenium (SeNPs) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs), in both free and alginate-encapsulated forms, against MDR nosocomial respiratory pathogens under identical experimental conditions. Selenium and titanium dioxide nanoparticles were synthesized using aqueous plant extracts and subsequently encapsulated within an alginate biopolymer matrix to enhance stability. Nanomaterials were characterized for morphology, crystallinity, and surface functional groups. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were assessed using agar diffusion assays, while minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined to evaluate dose-dependent effects. Selenium nanoparticles exhibited superior antibacterial activity (20–21 mm inhibition zones) compared to titanium dioxide nanoparticles (9–18 mm). Alginate encapsulation reduced initial inhibition but supported sustained antimicrobial action. Against <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i>, selenium-based systems showed strong activity (15–19 mm), with titanium-based variants displaying moderate inhibition (12–18 mm). MIC assays revealed &gt; 0% bacterial suppression at 100 µg ml⁻¹. Plant-derived selenium and titanium dioxide nanomaterials, particularly selenium-based systems, demonstrate promising antimicrobial potential for further development against MDR nosocomial respiratory pathogens.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148817173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Host plant specificity and multi-level infestation patterns of scale insects in semi-arid forests of North Africa","authors":"Soumia Bouguenna,&nbsp;Nabil Bertella,&nbsp;Haroun Chenchouni","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02147-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02147-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) are important sap-feeding herbivores that influence plant physiology and contribute to forest ecosystem functioning. Despite their ecological importance, their host specificity and infestation dynamics remain insufficiently documented in Mediterranean semi-arid forests. This study investigated the distribution and ecological specialization of scale insects in Belezma National Park (Algeria), focusing on host tree species, plant communities, and infested plant parts. Significant variations (<i>p</i> = 0.006) in infestation rates were observed among host tree species. <i>Pinus halepensis</i> exhibited the highest mean infestation level (58.0 ± 27.7%), followed by <i>Juniperus phoenicea</i> (33.0 ± 29.9%) and <i>Juniperus oxycedrus</i> (29.5 ± 27.4%), whereas <i>Olea europaea</i> (6.3 ± 2.5%) and <i>Pistacia lentiscus</i> (10.0 ± 8.7%) showed low susceptibility. Hierarchical analyses revealed significant associations between scale insect species and plant communities (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). <i>Carulaspis atlantica</i> (Diaspididae) and <i>Quernaspis lepineyi</i> (Diaspididae) were associated with specific plant communities, whereas <i>Cupressaspis mediterranea</i> (Diaspididae) and <i>Lineaspis striata</i> (Diaspididae) were associated with conifer-dominated communities. At the host level, species-specific associations, such as <i>Leucaspis pusilla</i> (Diaspididae) with <i>Pinus halepensis</i> and <i>Quernaspis lepineyi</i> (Diaspididae) with <i>Quercus ilex</i>, indicated host-plant specificity. Infestation also varied among plant parts, with leaves and fruits representing the most frequently colonized structures. These findings demonstrate that scale insect distribution is primarily driven by biotic factors, particularly host plant identity and plant community. The coexistence of specialist and generalist species highlights substantial ecological plasticity and provides important insights for biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management in Mediterranean ecosystems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148817183","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ecosystem engineering by mud wasps: influence of the environment and nest structure","authors":"Fernanda Eloísa García-Ibarra,&nbsp;Sebastian Serna-Muñoz,&nbsp;Armando Aguirre-Jaimes,&nbsp;José G. García-Franco,&nbsp;Samuel Novais","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02145-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02145-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Many organisms act as environmental engineers by modifying the physical structure of their habitats and altering the availability of resources for other organisms. Mud wasps are known for building mud nests for their offspring, which are abandoned once the larvae complete metamorphosis and emerge as adults. Here, we compare the role of the mud wasps as ecosystem engineers in two different environments and analyze the influence of nest structure on the community of tenants in Veracruz, México. We sampled for abandoned nests (with at least one emergence opening) in human constructions and in a nearby forest area (medium subdeciduous tropical forest) measuring: their volume, number and diameter of openings, and the presence of tenants. Of the 88 sampled mud nests, 43% had tenants, totaling 234 individuals from 12 orders and 29 morphospecies. Spiders and ants were the most species-rich groups, while psocids were the most abundant tenants. We found a significant and positive effect of nest volume and number of openings on tenant species richness and abundance, whereas neither the diameter of the openings nor the environment had any effect. Our work provides evidence of mud wasps acting as ecosystem engineers, in both urban and forest environments, creating new spaces that other organisms can use as shelters. We also conclude that nest volume and the number of openings are important factors influencing the secondary use of these constructions. Moreover, these results suggest that the presence of nests and their non-removal from human constructions may be useful for the conservation of small organism communities in anthropized environments.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrated network pharmacology, transcriptomics and proteomics unveils the mechanisms of Forsythiae Fructus against acute lung injury","authors":"Qingqing Deng,&nbsp;Zeyang Dong,&nbsp;Qingqing Li,&nbsp;Jiaxin Bai,&nbsp;Jiqing Bai,&nbsp;Xiaoping Wang","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02144-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02144-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening respiratory disorder with high mortality. Forsythiae Fructus (FF), a traditional Chinese medicine widely used for respiratory diseases, shows therapeutic potential against ALI, yet its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood from a multi-omics perspective. This study integrated network pharmacology, transcriptomics, and proteomics to elucidate the protective mechanisms of FF against ALI. The chemical profile of FF was characterized by UPLC-Q-TOF–MS/MS, and an LPS-induced ALI rat model was established for pharmacodynamic evaluation. The optimal dose group was selected for multi-omics analysis. A total of 95 compounds were identified, and integrated analysis revealed that 11 core components mediated anti-ALI effects by modulating 347 targets across 25 signaling pathways. Molecular docking and Western blot validation demonstrated that these targets are primarily associated with the PI3K-Akt/mTOR, MAPK/ERK/p-38, JAK-STAT, and PPARγ signaling pathways. This study provides a comprehensive multi-omics framework for understanding the mechanisms of FF against ALI.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148719419","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling hidden dangers: detecting undeclared toxic substances in refurbished vaporiser e-liquids","authors":"Shanwil Shaun Dsouza,&nbsp;Neha .,&nbsp;Palak Sharma,&nbsp;Sonal Jain","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02140-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02140-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The escalating popularity of e-cigarettes, particularly refurbished devices, presents critical public health concerns due to the unregulated nature and complex compositions of their e-liquids. This present research contributes to the significant knowledge gap by investigating undeclared toxic substances in refurbished vape e-liquids, hypothesizing that such products contain hazardous chemicals and heavy metals exceeding safety limits. A multi-faceted analytical approach was employed qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses. E-liquid was extracted from ten diverse refurbished vape samples using methanol. Ten refurbished vape e-liquid samples. Preliminary color tests and Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) for initial organic compound detection (nicotine, cannabinoids, aldehydes, glycols, and phenols), followed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for comprehensive organic compound identification and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS) for quantifying heavy metals after acid digestion. Color tests showed signs of nicotine, glycols, phenols, and a single cannabinoid in one of the samples; TLC had provided inconclusive results. Using GC-MS, the authors detected toxic aldehydes, esters, phthalate plasticizers, and the neurotoxin securinine. Based on FAAS testing, high levels of lead (104.06–112.53 ppm) and cadmium (5.40–6.25 ppm) were observed that were above acceptable limits. The authors relay the data observed solidifies previous speculation of significant chemical inconsistencies and effects to human health and safety; thus, emphasizing immediate action for regulation and public education.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of Trichoderma bio-priming on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedling development and early-stage pathogen control","authors":"Heba I. Khan,&nbsp;Suchit A. John,&nbsp;Ram Bharose,&nbsp;Reena Kujur","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02143-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02143-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The present investigation evaluated the impact of bio-priming tomato seeds (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> L., cv. Pusa Ruby) with <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i> on seedling establishment and the suppression of early-stage diseases under controlled conditions over two consecutive growing seasons (2023–24 and 2024–25). A pot experiment with a randomized complete block design was employed, comprising untreated seeds (T₀) as the control and bio-primed seeds (T_h), with three replications per treatment. Bio-priming substantially enhanced seed performance, as reflected in improved germination (96.73% in T_h vs. 68.42% in T₀) and superior seedling morphology. Root length increased from 5.90 to 8.70 cm, shoot length from 8.35 to 10.6 cm, and leaf number from 9.11 to 12.20 in T_h. Biomass accumulation was significantly greater, with fresh weight rising from 39.50 to 53.70 mg and dry weight from 3.95 to 5.36 mg, representing a 35.7% increase over T₀. These improvements translated into longer seedlings (14.3–19.3 cm) and elevated vigor indices. Moreover, <i>T. harzianum</i> bio-priming reduced disease incidence from 9.63% in T₀ to 3.22% in T_h, corresponding to a biological control efficacy of 66.6%. Collectively, the findings highlight the dual role of <i>T. harzianum</i> biopriming in promoting seedling vigor and conferring early-stage disease resistance, accentuating its potential in integrated tomato crop management.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148700503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles from the leaves of Passiflora foetida L. and its antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities","authors":"Kushankur Sarkar,&nbsp;Sangita Dey,&nbsp;Ayan Kumar Mahanty,&nbsp;Anoop Kumar,&nbsp;Chandrani Choudhuri,&nbsp;Monoranjan Chowdhury","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02141-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02141-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The present study demonstrates the eco-friendly green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using <i>Passiflora foetida</i> L., an ethnomedicinal plant traditionally employed by sacred grove-centric communities of Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal, for treating enteric disorders. The biogenic synthesis involved zinc nitrate as a precursor and aqueous leaf extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, FESEM, EDX, FTIR, DLS, and zeta potential analysis, confirming their crystalline nature, spherical morphology (~ 99.42 nm), and purity. The functional groups identified through FTIR suggested phytochemical-mediated stabilization. The nanoparticles exhibited potent antioxidant activity, particularly in DPPH and ABTS assays, demonstrating efficient radical scavenging with low IC₅₀ values. Antibacterial evaluation revealed broad-spectrum efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with <i>E. coli</i> and <i>S. typhimurium</i> showing the highest sensitivity. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) analysis confirmed dose-dependent inhibition. Cytotoxicity assessment using the WRL-68 human liver cell line indicated moderate toxicity only at higher concentrations (IC₅₀= 471.05 µg/mL), suggesting good biocompatibility. Overall, the study highlights the potential of <i>P. foetida</i>-mediated ZnO- nanoparticles as promising antimicrobial and antioxidant agents, integrating traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge with green nanotechnology to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens and oxidative stress.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148700462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pollinators preferences in sympatric Ixora chinensis and Ixora coccinea; an integrative analysis of geometric morphometrics, floral colour dynamics, and nectar chemistry","authors":"P. Rameesa,&nbsp;P. P Anand,&nbsp;Y. Shibu Vardhanan","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02135-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02135-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Floral characteristics such as shape, symmetry, coloration, and nectar rewards collectively influence pollinator preferences and drive plant–pollinator coevolution. In this study, we examined pollinator preferences in the sympatric congeneric species, <i>Ixora chinensis</i> and <i>Ixora coccinea</i> by integrating geometric morphometrics (GMM) analysis of flower, complemented by pollinator observations, temporal colour analysis, and biochemical assessment of nectar traits. GMM analysis showed greater phenotypic plasticity and fluctuating asymmetry in <i>I. chinensis</i> than in <i>I. coccinea</i>, with the two species occupying distinct regions of morphospace. In the present study, we found that Butterflies (Lepidoptera) emerged as the dominant pollinators, accounting for 69% of visits, and their proboscis length showed a strong positive correlation (<i>r</i> = 0.988) with corolla tube length. <i>I. coccinea</i> possessed significantly longer corolla tubes (40.7 ± 0.98 mm) than <i>I. chinensis</i> (35.0 ± 0.75 mm), thereby restricting access primarily to butterflies with longer proboscides. Freshly opened flowers of <i>I. chinensis</i> changed colour from orange to red as they aged, signalling the presence of high-quality nectar enriched with essential elements and crystalline structures. In contrast, <i>I. coccinea</i> did not exhibit this colour transition. Although <i>I. coccinea</i> produced a higher volume of amorphous nectar and reached peak coloration during maximum pollinator activity around 11:00 h under moderate light (~ 3000 lx), pollinators consistently preferred <i>I. chinensis</i>. This preference demonstrates that multimodal integration of shorter corolla tubes, greater floral plasticity, dynamic colour signalling, and superior nectar quality exert a stronger influence on pollinator attraction than nectar volume alone. This study demonstrates how multiple floral traits collaboratively drive differential pollinator visitation among sympatric congeneric species.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148676437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adaptive strategies of Tamarix aphylla in hyper-saline conditions of Cholistan Desert","authors":"Muhammad Akram,&nbsp;Nargis Naz,&nbsp;Hafiz Muhammad Mohsin Hassan,&nbsp;Maqbool Ahmed,&nbsp;Leman Aliyeva,&nbsp;Muhammad Yousaf Nadeem,&nbsp;Hind Saad Alsubaie,&nbsp;Sahar Anwar Almalki,&nbsp;Abdelrahman R. Ahmed,&nbsp;Abdullah R. Alanzi","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02142-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02142-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Understanding how plants adjust to salinity is essential for the sustainable management of arid ecosystems. This study aims to examine the anatomical, ionic, physiological, and biochemical responses of <i>Tamarix aphylla</i> across various desert habitats. <i>T. aphylla</i> demonstrates adaptive strategies to survive under hyper-saline conditions. Three habitats were chosen: sand dunes, sandy plains, and saline areas. Five locations per habitat were sampled using 10 × 10 m quadrats, and soil and mature plants were collected for analysis. The findings showed that under saline circumstances, vascular bundle area (2170.97 μm²), cortical thickness (610.03 μm), and sclerenchyma thickness (120.39 μm) all attained their maximum values (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Ionic contents showed increased accumulation of Na⁺ (38.93 mg g⁻¹ DW), Cl⁻ (33.15 mg g⁻¹ DW), K⁺ (8.66 mg g⁻¹ DW), and Ca²⁺ (1.74 mg g⁻¹ DW) in plant roots under saline conditions. Physiological traits decreased in saline environments, with lower amounts of carotenoids (0.039 mg g⁻¹ FW), chlorophyll a (0.842 mg g⁻¹ FW), and chlorophyll b (0.312 mg g⁻¹ FW). However, contents of proline (396.12 µg g⁻¹ FW), total soluble sugars (32.62 mg g⁻¹ DW), and total soluble proteins (1946.4 µg g⁻¹ FW), as well as phenolics (9.56 µg g⁻¹ FW) and flavonoids (3.5 mg g⁻¹ DW), showed increased under saline conditions. Strong significant correlations (<i>r</i> &gt; 0.9) between root ionic concentrations and important metabolic characteristics were also shown by Mantel test analysis. Overall results suggested that <i>T. aphylla</i> demonstrates a comprehensive adaptation strategy that includes biochemical defense, ionic homeostasis, and structural strengthening, allowing it to survive and thrive in extremely salty environments.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148676460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}